I vividly remember the first time I laid eyes on Final Fantasy XIII. It was back in 2009, during the hype leading up to its release. Trailers dropped, and fans eagerly speculated. Square Enix had promised a revolutionary game, and my excitement was palpable. The visuals looked stunning—lush landscapes, mysterious characters, and a battle system that seemed unique. I was particularly drawn to the idea of Lightning, the stoic protagonist, and the futuristic setting that felt like a fresh take on the series.

I wasn’t alone in my anticipation. The buzz was everywhere, and as the game’s release date grew closer, I found myself diving deeper into discussions, reading every article I could find. The battle system, with its focus on real-time action and strategic Paradigm shifts, seemed like a clever evolution of what Final Fantasy could offer. As someone who had enjoyed the turn-based mechanics of Final Fantasy VII, I was curious but hopeful that this new system would still retain the tactical depth I loved.

When I finally got my hands on FFXIII, however, my excitement quickly turned into frustration. I remember playing for a few hours, pushing forward through the stunning world, but something felt off. The battle system, which I had once been so intrigued by, didn’t click with me. The system felt too automated for my tastes, too reliant on switching between predefined roles rather than allowing me to exercise more control over the characters’ actions. I found myself missing the classic turn-based strategy I’d enjoyed so much in past games.

Looking back, it’s interesting to reflect on how FFVII Remake (and Rebirth), which included a “Classic” mode, seemed to be a callback to the very system I adored. It was ironic that the very battle mechanics I once longed for had found their way back into a Final Fantasy game, but in a different context—one I could appreciate much more easily. For FFXIII, however, the magic didn’t happen, and I ended up putting the game down, never to return.

Since then, I haven’t delved into Final Fantasy again, except for a brief 10-minute stint with FF XVI. It was clear from that short interaction that the series has evolved even further, and I’m unsure if it will ever recapture the magic that drew me in with titles like FFVII. Still, FFVII Remake and Rebirth have rekindled that spark of excitement. Perhaps I wasn’t ready for FFXIII back then, but now, with the battle system being refined in new ways, I’m ready to dive back in—albeit through a different lens.